Grifola frondosa
| Maitake | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Division: | Basidiomycota |
| Class: | Agaricomycetes |
| Order: | Polyporales |
| Family: | Meripilaceae |
| Genus: | Grifola |
| Species: | G. frondosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Grifola frondosa | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
| Grifola frondosa | |
|---|---|
| Pores on hymenium | |
| Cap is offset or indistinct | |
| Hymenium is decurrent | |
| Stipe is bare | |
| Spore print is white | |
| Ecology is parasitic | |
| Edibility is choice or can cause allergic reactions | |
Grifola frondosa, also known as hen-of-the-woods, sheep's head, ram's head, or maitake (舞茸, "dancing mushroom") in Japanese, is a polypore mushroom that grows at the base of trees, particularly old growth oaks or maples. It is native to China, Europe, and North America.
It is an edible mushroom long used in East Asian cuisine and studied for its potential health benefits, though no high-quality clinical evidence supports its medicinal use.